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One week in...and happily SLY by sailor61 on 10 Feb, 2011 07:37
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Good morning guys...
As the headline says, I'm a week into the "sly look" and I love it. Made my first Headblade order the other day (no one around here stocks more than the razors and cream) - HURRY UP UPS!!
Currently 49, 50 hits in May and here's how I got to this new phase of life...
Had a full head of dark brown hair that began to slowly thin when I was in my later 30s.
This development became very obvious in summers when I was spending a good amount of time sailing - sunburns amongst the remains on top were a new experience. As many of us seem to do, as it got thinner I kept it shorter - a decent compromise (anything beats the absurd combover like my neighbor has)
Over several years, as I had it cut progressively shorter, I began to wonder what it would look like to just get rid of it - but I lacked the "courage" to go through with it.
Ok, so lets fast forward to a few weeks back when I noticed an irregular scabby patch on my scalp and had a doctor take a look at it - that resulted in a referral to another doctor for removal. Went to an initial consultation prior to the procedure to meet the doc and have her take a look. She explained what was going to be done and that she would need to shave a section around the spot. Scheduled the procedure for this past Monday.
Went home and thought about things and realized the shaved spot would look absurd. (better to concentrate on the silly things I could control than what was actually going on)
Now I had the PERFECT motivation to just DO IT.
Having a crop circle on the side of my head would be far sillier looking than just getting rid of the remanants. (my sides were still thick and the crown was covered, but it looked like grass on the first day the seed begins sprouting) If it looked good then everything was fine, if I looked like a complete dork then it was "hey, I had to do it for medical reasons" and let it grow back.
I took the clippers in hand a week ago and buzzed things off without a gaurd. Got in the shower, washed up and then lathered. Razor in hand, one quick stroke and I was committed. Fininshed it up and was very happy with what I saw. And I did shave #1 without so much as a knick. Been shaving daily since then and I'm surprised at how fast it is to do.
For years I've had a full beard from Oct until April and am then clean shaven through the warm weather. Question I still had was what to do with the beard...never been a goatee guy for some reason. So I trimmed the tops of the beard into slight points so I don't have the blunt ends where my sideburns used to be.
This winter's beard will come off in another month or two, maybe I'll try the goat then.
So here I am a week in and I love it - I no longer have any concerns about how the remaining hair looks. It's gone and it was my decision not that of the hand of cards I got dealt in the game of genetics. Friends who have seen me (I'm single so that was one barrier I did not have) have been very positive. My dogs seem to like it the best since I had learned to ignore/sleep through them licking my hands to get attention/out - now they go for my head.
Based on what I read on here I bought a Headblade Sport - I can see where it will be simpler after a learning curve. For now I've gone back to using a regular razor while a few beginner's mistakes heal and I find the regular razor easier to manage around the excision spots. Haven't quite gotten the hang of the headblade - it'll come with time. My first few attempts with it were great on one side but poor at best on the other.
Only problem I'm encountering is being chilly on top - never realized how drafty this house is. I do need to spend some time in the sun to get a slight bit of color on the sides but after this week's lectures from the doc that will have to be in moderate sunscreened doses. (spots were taken off Monday and appear to have come off with no major trouble, healing well)
Other than that, seems to be a good group of guys in here and I look forward to getting to know you.
TJ -
#1 by marshd1000 on 10 Feb, 2011 08:39
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Welcome to SBG! As a 50 yr old often bearded Sly guy, I would say that your beard and bald dome definately works on you!
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#2 by TheSlyBear on 10 Feb, 2011 10:26
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Welcome!
I also do the full beard during the winter months, and a Van Dyck during the warmer weather.
Because I wear glasses, I just trim at the arms of the spectacles. -
#3 by Noodles on 10 Feb, 2011 10:41
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Welcome to the SLY SIDE, TJ!!
Glad you found us!! The SLY look fits you like a glove!!
Good luck with the results of the "mystery spot". Keep us posted on the doctor's findings!
We're like family here, as you'll soon find out!
- Cap'n Noodles - -
#4 by seahawk guy on 10 Feb, 2011 10:47
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Hi Sailor61, welcome to the SBGs gang. I always had a full beard for about 45 years. When I went sly a couple of weeks ago I cut the beard back to a goatee. I reckon on me the sly/goatee combination looks better. I too spend lots of time sailing here in the UK and need to be careful about protecting the shiny dome from the sun.
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#5 by ozzie on 10 Feb, 2011 14:10
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Welcome to the SBGs, TJ. Nice intro!
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#6 by CraftyGuy on 10 Feb, 2011 16:46
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Hello Sailor! Welcome!
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#7 by Nonick on 10 Feb, 2011 20:32
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sailor61, welcome to the best bald forum on the Internet Lookin' good too!
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#8 by wpruitt on 11 Feb, 2011 05:34
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Welcome
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#9 by lonestaral on 11 Feb, 2011 06:20
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Welcome sailor61.
Looking good.
Try a Van Dyke for a beard.
I think it will suit you Sir! -
#10 by The Noggin on 11 Feb, 2011 09:28
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Welcome sailor! Good to have you aboard!
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#11 by Arnie on 16 Feb, 2011 17:04
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Welcome to SBGs!!!